The practice of applying fertilizer is fundamental to maintaining a healthy, vibrant turf. Fertilizer replenishes essential nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) consumed by the grass. Uniform application is paramount because uneven distribution leads to a patchy appearance, with some areas dark green and others pale or yellow. Over-application in one spot can chemically burn the grass blades, causing irreparable damage. The goal is to deliver a precise, balanced amount of nutrients across the entire lawn surface for consistent growth and color.
Understanding Fertilizer Types and Tools
Granular fertilizer consists of dry pellets that release nutrients slowly over weeks or months, making it ideal for long-term feeding. Liquid fertilizer is a concentrated solution diluted with water and absorbed quickly by the turf, providing an immediate boost of nutrients.
The application method dictates the equipment required. For granular products, two main tools are used: the drop spreader and the rotary, or broadcast, spreader. Drop spreaders dispense material directly beneath the hopper in a precise, straight line, useful for borders and smaller areas, though they demand careful overlapping to avoid stripes. Rotary spreaders use a spinning disk to fling the granules in a wide, fan-shaped pattern, allowing for faster coverage of large, open lawns.
Liquid fertilizers require a sprayer mechanism. For home use, this typically involves a hose-end applicator that automatically mixes the concentrate with water as you spray. Alternatively, pump sprayers or battery-powered tank sprayers provide more control over pressure and volume, which is advantageous for precise spot treatments or small to medium-sized yards.
Essential Preparation Steps
Accurate preparation determines a successful and even fertilizer application. Before beginning, calculate the exact amount of product needed by determining the total square footage of the lawn area. This measurement is used with the application rate provided on the packaging, usually expressed as pounds per 1,000 square feet.
Next, the application equipment must be properly calibrated to ensure the correct rate of material is dispensed. For a granular spreader, set the dial according to the manufacturer’s recommendation for the specific product. Because settings vary between models, a small test application on a non-lawn surface can verify the actual distribution rate.
Personal protective equipment, such as gloves, safety glasses, and long pants, should be worn to minimize skin contact and inhalation. Fill the spreader hopper or sprayer tank on a hard surface, like a driveway or patio. This precaution allows spilled product to be easily swept up, preventing concentrated fertilizer from burning the grass or running off into storm drains.
Granular Application Techniques
The most reliable technique for achieving an even spread of granular fertilizer is the “half-rate, two-pass” method. This involves setting the spreader to half the recommended rate and making two passes over the area, with the second pass running perpendicular to the first. This cross-hatch pattern significantly reduces the chance of missing spots or creating stripes.
Before starting the main passes, apply a perimeter strip around the entire lawn to establish a turn-around area. When using a rotary spreader, engage the edge guard feature for this perimeter pass to prevent granules from scattering onto sidewalks or garden beds. Maintaining a consistent walking pace is necessary, as speed directly impacts the amount of product dropped per square foot.
At the end of each pass, the spreader gate must be closed before stopping or turning to prevent a concentrated pile of fertilizer from dumping onto the turf. Granules that fall too heavily create a distinct, discolored spot of over-fertilized grass, commonly called fertilizer burn. Following the wheel tracks from the previous pass, the next pass should overlap slightly to ensure continuous coverage across the spreader’s full swath width.
Liquid Application Techniques
Applying liquid fertilizer requires careful attention to concentration and application motion for uniform coverage. If using a concentrate, it must be accurately diluted with water according to label instructions before being placed into the sprayer tank. Incorrect mixing ratios cause poor results, leading to under-dosing (no benefit) or over-dosing (foliar burn).
During application, hold the spray nozzle at a consistent height and distance from the turf, typically 12 to 18 inches, to ensure an even fan pattern. Maintaining a constant walking pace and pressure is important, as fluctuations cause uneven product distribution. Low pressure from a pump sprayer is preferred because it produces larger droplets, minimizing drift.
To help visually track treated areas, a temporary marking dye can be added to the liquid solution before spraying. This non-toxic dye temporarily stains the grass a light color, providing a clear reference point to guide the overlap of passes and prevent double-application. Once complete, the area should be lightly watered to help nutrients move into the soil.